3:73 or 3:54
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: SAN DIEGO CA
3:73 or 3:54
This week will definitely be the week I pull the differential out. I have a 383 stroker, dart pro aluminum 200cc heads, Accel manifold base, Accel Superram plenum and runners, Lingenfelter adjustable fuel, 24 pd injectors, Crower steel rolling rockers, Tpis long tube headers, Custom cam is .480 at intake with a duration of 264, exhaust is .480 with a duration of 274. Camlift is .320 with duration being 210 at .50 camlift. And exhaust is .320 with duration at 216. I also have a custom chip by Ed Wright. What is the best gear ratio. I'd like to put 3:73 gears in but have heard alot of pros and cons. I would like to drive the car 3 days out of the week. Would 3:54's be better. I would like the car to extremely fast!!! Any help would be great. :steering:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 421
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From: Glen Burnie Md
Re: 3:73 or 3:54 (PMARTINEZ92126)
Before I can help you, I need to know a few things more about your Vette.
You didn't mention what Transmission you're running?
With the new cam you have installed...at what RPM are you shifting your gears?
What exhaust system are you running? I know you have TPiS headers.
Are you still running with your Cat Converter?
Have you eliminated your MAF screens?
Air Induction...are you using a K&N?
Your overall package looks good. My main concern would be the exhaust.
I would say before hearing from you...that if you are running an Automatic Transmission, with stock Vette heads, and the power range of your new cam is between 5000-5600 RPM's...then go with the 3:54 gears.
Should you have a manual tranny...no matter if it's a 4+3, or a 6 speed, and your cam's power range is between 5500-6000 RPM's...I'd say go with the 3:73 gears.
The difference being the 3:54 gears will give you a little better top end MPH, before the engine runs out of breathe.
The 3:73 gears will get you 'out of the hole' a tad quicker, but unless you have a good exhaust system, and the engine is able to breathe, in order to make, good usable horsepower...you might find your engine running out of 'ummpph' before your 'red line' (RPM's).
You didn't mention what Transmission you're running?
With the new cam you have installed...at what RPM are you shifting your gears?
What exhaust system are you running? I know you have TPiS headers.
Are you still running with your Cat Converter?
Have you eliminated your MAF screens?
Air Induction...are you using a K&N?
Your overall package looks good. My main concern would be the exhaust.
I would say before hearing from you...that if you are running an Automatic Transmission, with stock Vette heads, and the power range of your new cam is between 5000-5600 RPM's...then go with the 3:54 gears.
Should you have a manual tranny...no matter if it's a 4+3, or a 6 speed, and your cam's power range is between 5500-6000 RPM's...I'd say go with the 3:73 gears.
The difference being the 3:54 gears will give you a little better top end MPH, before the engine runs out of breathe.
The 3:73 gears will get you 'out of the hole' a tad quicker, but unless you have a good exhaust system, and the engine is able to breathe, in order to make, good usable horsepower...you might find your engine running out of 'ummpph' before your 'red line' (RPM's).
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: 3:73 or 3:54 (PMARTINEZ92126)
such low gearing is not necessary with that cam, IMO
i would not go lower than 3.54
i would not go lower than 3.54
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
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From: Framingham MA
Re: 3:73 or 3:54 (PMARTINEZ92126)
I agree with not needing much gear for your setup, what do you have now for gears? 3.45 or 3.07 would be just as fast, but it would 'feel' quicker with higher gears.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: SAN DIEGO CA
Re: 3:73 or 3:54 (dgoodhue)
I have one main cat in the rear of the car and I have flowmasters. I took the screens off the MAF. The car has bigger heads than the stock one. I also have the KN filter with the modified air lid. The transmission has been rebuilt and the shop said they changed out the torque converter to a smaller one i believe. Didn't really feel the difference with the new converter. I saw someone post that the 3:73 wont be any faster than the 3:54? I have 2:70-something in the car right now. Thats what the differential shop (Progears) told me. Hoping for a night and day difference :crazy:
